# NTSB FTW92LA212: MBB BO 105CBS-4, N295EH, Ship Shoal 90, August 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1992, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Ship Shoal 90
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 14, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18557
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA212
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18557/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA212

## Probable cause

LOSS OF POWER TO BOTH ENGINES FROM FUEL STARVATION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO SWITCH ON THE MAIN FUEL BOOST PUMPS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - all engines
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel boost pump selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - initiated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency

## Analysis

THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT OVER THE GULF OF MEXICO WHEN THE NUMBER ONE ENGINE LOST POWER FOLLOWED BY THE NUMBER TWO ENGINE. THE PILOT INITIATED AN AUTOROTATION TO THE WATER. THE POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE HELICOPTER REVEALED THE FORWARD AND AFT MAIN FUEL BOOST PUMPS WERE NOT SWITCHED 'ON' BY THE PILOT. THE BOOST PUMPS DIRECT FUEL TO THE SUPPLY TANK. EIGHTY GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE MAIN FUEL TANK. NO MECHANICAL ANOMALIES WERE NOTED TO THE HELICOPTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N295EH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N295EH-1994-11-18), registration cancelled 1994-11-18, S/N S847 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MBB BO 105CBS-4 (BO 105CBS-)
- Registry model: [Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm BO-105S](https://openairdocs.org/model/messerschmitt-boelkow-blohm-bo-105s) (registry code 5626006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: S847
- Airframe hours: 2035
- Engines: ALLISON 250-C20B 345 horsepower turbo shaft
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Era Aviation, Inc., doing business as Era Helicopters
- Registered owner: Era Helicopters Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: AAIP, June 23, 1992, 235 hours before
- Departed: NONE, GRN CANYON 184, GM
- Destination: HUM, HOUMA, LA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 9,212 total, 3,783 in this make and model, 140 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19920816031829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920816031829A), Aug 16, 1992: Bolkms BO105S, Gulf Of Mexico, LA, Substantial damage. Both engines flamed out in cruise. Low fuel light on. Fuel supply tank empty. Main tank 80 gal. Transfer pumps off.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.